This choice: “We should head deeper into the forest and try to find this small trading post." • Go Back... After a brief discussion, both Mara and Grungor decided it best to head to the nearest location, which was a small trading post that was deeper into the forest. Grungor packed most of the supplies up, as he felt sorry for Mara and let her be. With the stuff packed up, Grungor led the way with Mara behind, swaying slightly as she tried to get used to her new girth.
"So, how far exactly is this trading post?" asked Mara with slight hint of anxiety. Grungor looked back at the elf, and said in a flat tone, "About a mile or two, almost in the center of the forest. I hear the post is run by a group of centaurs, though. Have ya ever seen one up close?"
Mara blinked, shaking her head. "No, I can't say I have. How about you?"
"Just a couple of times, decent enough folk they are. Though, this was a different group I believe, so I have no idea if the ones at the post are gonna be friendly."
"Lets hope they are..." muttered Mara, looking around the forest, keeping an eye out for danger.
* * *
After an uneventful trek through the dense forest, Grungor stopped and listened for something in the woods. "Hear that? Sounds like voices, I bet we're gettin' close to the post."
"Thank the gods, I'm starving!" gasped a rather worn out Mara, bent over with her hands on her knees. Grungor looked back at the elf with stern eyes. "Why didn't ya say something? We could have stopped to eat, for crying out loud!"
Mara looked up at the dwarf with weary eyes. "I...didn't want to impede on our progress...And besides, I thought it best that I hold my hunger while I'm in this...condition." Mara patted her burgeoning belly, a sliver of pale skin showing through a gap on her robe. As if in response to her a touch, her stomach let loose a loud gurgling sound, which in turn caused Mara's face to turn red.
Grungor couldn't help but grin, as he took in the sight of the embarrassed elf. "Well, I think we can fore-go caution just for a bit to get some food in your tummy, lass. I'm sure it won't do ya any harm."
Mara sighed deeply as she stared at the ground. "I..I suppose so. I mean, what harm could some bread do, really?"
"That's the spirit, Mara." And so the duo walked the last stretch to the trading post, their feet aching and tummy's rumbling.
They took in the sight of a number of tents surrounding the area, each with their flap open and a merchants table in front of them, most adorned with rare jewels or scrolls.
Yet, the trading post was deserted. "Thats peculiar, I coulda sworn I heard voices..." grumbled Grungor, his head swaying back and forth looking for any sign of life.
Meanwhile, Mara was gazing at the collections of jewelry and other objects at one merchant station. "Oh these really are beautiful, Grungor. I wonder where they got these?" She wandered over to the next stand, only to be met with an assortment of foods. Bread, cheese, pudding, some fish, fresh cut meat, and even cake! Mara's mouth began to water at the sight of such delectable food, and she licked her lips with hungrily.
"Well, Mara, I haven't the faintest idea where those centaurs went, so I'm not sure what our plan is now. I think I'll go look around the woods, see I can call em out."
Mara didn't answer though, as her mouth was occupied with a roasted lamb leg. | Members who added to this interactive story also contributed to these: |
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